watchOS 8 is finally out! Here are five of our favorite new features Apple has added in the latest update.
1. Introducing: Mindfulness
The Breathe app has been completely overhauled to become the new Mindfulness app in watchOS 8. Mindfulness introduces a brand new session type called Reflect, where you're prompted to focus on a short theme or prompt for one minute to help you be more mindful in your everyday life — something like: "Reflect on one thing you're grateful for and think about why you appreciate it."
At the end of each session, you're given a summary of your metrics including average heart rate and number of daily mindful minutes.
2. A Better Way to Send Messages
Apple has added some useful features to the messaging experience on Apple Watch. When composing a message with dictation, you can now use the Digital Crown to scrub through text and correct errors. You can also combine dictation, scribble, and emoji all in one message.
Sharing photos is also much easier — you can now share gallery photos directly from your wrist through Messages and Mail.
3. New Workouts: Tai Chi and Pilates
Continuing Apple's big emphasis on health and fitness, watchOS 8 adds two new workout types: Tai Chi and Pilates. The new Pilates training mode helps you strengthen your core and improve balance and flexibility through specially designed exercises.
Also new: your Apple Watch will now automatically detect when you're riding a bike outside and prompt you to start a cycling workout to track your activity.
4. Never Forget Your Umbrella Again
The Weather app now supports severe weather notifications, keeping you in the loop on government-issued alerts for incoming storms and extreme weather events. This also includes next-hour precipitation alerts and rain intensity notifications — so you'll never leave the house underprepared again!
5. Improved Always-On Display
The Always-On Display is now even more powerful. More apps than ever support it, including Maps, Music, Mindfulness, and many others. As a reminder, Always-On Display lets you glance at your watch without deliberately raising your wrist — great for activities like cycling where your hands are occupied.
With watchOS 8, Apple is also now allowing third-party apps to take advantage of Always-On Display, so it's only a matter of time until all your favorite apps support it!
How to Update to watchOS 8
The update is available for Apple Watch Series 3 or later, paired with an iPhone 6S or later running iOS 15. To install, open the Watch app on your iPhone and go to General > Software Update in the My Watch tab.
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